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CHAPTER VIII.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

Total number of pupils receiving secondary instruction - Explanation of the tables-Scholastic characteristics of secondary schools- Material resources - Summary of statistics of secondary schools supported wholly by public funds (Table 31, Division A)-Summary of statistics of secondary schools supported partly by public funds (Table 31, Division B)- Summary of statistics of private secondary schools for girls (Table 32, Division A)-Summary of statistics for private secondary schools for boys (Table 32, Division B)-Summary of statistics of private secondary schools for both sexes (Table 32, Division C)-Comparative statistics of secondary schools-General considerations arising from the comparative view-Supervisory agents, the Regents of the University of the State of New York-State universities as supervisory agents- Private associations-Commission of colleges on admission examinations- General bearing of the work of the Commission-Duration of Recondary courses-Comparative statistics of secondary schools supported wholly by public funds (Table 33, Division A)-Comparative statistics of secondary schools supported partly by public funds (Table 33, Division B)-Comparative statistics of private secondary schools for girls (Table 34, Division A)-Comparative statistics of private secondary schools for boys (Table 34, Division B) -Comparative statistics of private secondary schools for both sexes (Table 34, Division C)- Number and classification of all secondary students (Table 35)-Remarks upon the detailed tables-Statis tics of secondary schools supported wholly by public funds (Table 36, Division A)-Statistics of secondary schools supported partly by public funds (Table 36, Division B)-Statistics of private secondary schools for girls (Table 37, Division A)-Statistics of private secondary schools for boys (Table 37, Division B)-Statistics of private secondary schools for both sexes (Table 37, Division C)- Addendum-Admission requirements of universities and colleges (Table 38)-Admission requirements of agricultural and mechanical colleges (Table 39)-Admission requirements of institutions for the superior instruction of women (Table 40).

The total number of schools for secondary instruction reporting to the Office in 1886-87 was 1,476, having 8,604 instructors and 184,616 students. If to these be added the number of students reported in the preparatory departments of superior institutions (Tables 42, 45, 48, and 52), viz, 32,182, there results a sum total of 216,798 pupils reported in courses of secondary instruction.

The independence, variety, and individuality of secondary schools in the United States render it difficult to bring them within the compass of a common scheme of representation, such as might show the quantity and the resources of this part of the educational provision of the country and indicate the direction in which efforts should be expended for the farther improvement and development of the work.

In the present Report the aim has been to arrive at the best classification of the schools and to make an intelligible presentation of those features which pertain to secondary as distinguished from special training.

The source of support, which is the most obvious distinction between the schools, leads naturally to their division into two groups-public and private. Intermediate between the two is a number of schools supported partly by public funds and partly by private funds or tuition fees. They are mostly in the Southern States, and mark a phase in the progress of the free-school system which has nearly disappeared in other sections. Their separate tabulation serves an historical purpose only.

The private secondary schools have been tabulated in three groups, viz: (1) schools for boys exclusively; (2) schools for girls exclusively; and (3) schools for both sexes. This classification suits well with the scholastic characteristics of the three groups. In the United States, as elsewhere, secondary instruction tends largely to two courses-the "classical" and the "scientific." These convenient terms can not, however, be employed in our tabulation, from the want of uniformity in their use. The former has three applications: first, as including both Latin and Greek; second, as allowing alternatives between Greek and French and German; third, but rarely, as including the classical literature of any language.

The importance of the two courses as compared with the entire work of the schools may be inferred from the following summary:

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The schools for boys exceed all other classes of secondary schools in the proportion of their pupils classified as above.

In addition to the classical and the scientific course, there is a third course numerically large, variously constituted and variously named, as "general," "English," and "literary."

Normal and business courses are incidental to the main work of secondary schools, being very generally pursued in connection with other courses.

The work in progress in the schools can not, however, be so well indicated by courses as by particular studies, choice being made of those having known value. Mathematics naturally stands first in the list. Of this branch it is sufficient to say that algebra and geometry are invariably included in the secondary programmes, and are pursued either together or in succession throughout the course. Physics and chemistry are common features, and are generally taken in the order named. From an inquiry respecting the latter it is found to be a requisite for graduation in 295 high schools, or 57 per cent. of the whole number (26 schools specifying scientific or general course), in 61 per cent. of the private schools for girls, in 26 per cent. of the schools for boys, and in 50 per cent. of the schools for both sexes.

The statistics pertaining to language studies which, all things considered, afford the best index of the work, have been tabulated, and are summarized in Tables 31 and 32.

The inquiries were intended to secure information as to the number of students pursuing a foreign language and the number confining themselves to English.

Unfortunately one question, viz, "What is the number of students pursuing English branches exclusively," was susceptible of different interpretations. In several cases it was understood to exclude pupils in drawing; in others the entire enrolment of the school was given in reply, notwithstanding the fact that this was contradicted by the answers to other inquiries.

In the case of all the schools, save those for girls, it was found possible to correct the mistakes arising from this misunderstanding in time to use the information, either in the integral or in the ratio tables. For the girls' schools the statistics remain incomplete.

The tables show further the number of secondary pupils pursuing drawing (free hand and mechanical), a matter of daily-increasing interest, both on account of the recognized importance of the exercise as a part of general training, and as a preparation for scientific and technical training. Statistics of other forms of manual training have also been included. The summary of students preparing for superior institutions completes the view of the scholastic work.

As regards financial particulars, our present information is exceedingly defective, neither income nor expenditure being included. Property valuation, permanent funds, and benefactions are shown in the summaries of the schools for boys and the schools for both sexes. In the summary of the schools for girls, and the high schools, public and partly public, permanent funds have not been tabulated. Six private schools for girls report under this head a total of $119,000, and 27 high schools a total of $685,305.

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OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

wholly by public funds.

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